Hey guys, I'm still alive.

I know I said that I would get another chapter up sooner, but I haven't really had any time to write, so... yeah!

I decided I'm ending this story, so I hope the ending is fairly satisfying! There might be cliffhangers, just warning you guys.

I hope you enjoy your month-late update!

Gabi

Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion, and I felt like I was watching myself do things with no control over what I was doing.

Chris and I slashed down ventus after ventus, but it did nothing.

I took to the air to try to gain an advantage, but all that happened was venti surrounding me.

I smacked the flat of my blade into one and ducked another's strike.

My dagger was knocked out of my hands, and I went demon-cat, hissing and clawing at the venti. Naturally, it did nothing.

Six venti grabbed my arms and dragged me down to the ground.

"You will pay for what you have done," a loud voice boomed, the owner glaring at me.

I saw my friends, also restrained by venti, dragged down near me.

"You will all die," the Laistrygonian said. "Starting with that one." He pointed at one of my friends.

Chris was dragged forward, and a ventus stood over him, raising a Celestial bronze sword.

Everything went super slow-mo.

I struggled against my ventus captors.

The blade was a foot from Chris's chest.

I managed to break free.

Nine inches.

I ran toward Chris.

Six inches.

I threw myself in front of Chris.

The sword went through my stomach.

I stumbled.

I fell, waves of nausea and pain sweeping through my entire body.

Chris screamed my name.

I pulled the sword out of my gut, vaguely registering the tugging sensation and the blood coating the blade.

A booming laugh. "You will never defeat me."

I stared at my fingers, loosely wrapped around the sword's hilt.

I forced my fist to clench around the handle, and everything came back into real time.

I stood, ignoring the nauseating pain, and smirked as I raised the sword.

The venti rushed me, but I took them down easily.

I threw the sword at the Laistrygonian, piercing his chest and killing him instantly.

I turned back toward my friends, who were free. Their venti captors had fled.

"No big deal, right?" I managed before collapsing.

Chris caught me and held me close. "Never do that to me again."

There won't be an "again," I thought grimly. "I won't."

He let out a strangled laugh. "Promise?"

"You're a douche."

I shuddered as another wave of pain racked me.

My systems were starting to shut down.

I was losing this fight.

The pain was too much.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

My vision went black.

Could I be forgiven for everything I'd done?

I was sure of it.

Third Person

The demigods gathered around Chris, who was holding the shuddering form of the girl who'd saved them all.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, even her whisper defeated.

Her green eyes fluttered shut and she let out a long, low breath.

She didn't breathe in.

Angel choked back a sob, and Annabeth put an arm around her.

Both Jasons looked at each other, then at the ground.

Piper and Nudge were both trying to hold back tears.

"This isn't how it was supposed to end!" Chris yelled.

"She sacrificed herself to save us all. To save you," Max whispered. "We have to honor that."

Ten minutes later, the Argo II swooped low over the open ocean, and everyone got ready for the sea burial.

The shroud had been a collaboration between the flock and the demigods. It was a sea green silk with a trident design, but Max had insisted on putting wings on the trident and that they all sign their names.

Max and Jason lifted the shroud-wrapped body and carried it towards the side. The splash was huge.

"I didn't know you for very long, but long enough to know you were a good friend," Max said, trying to hold back her tears.

"I hope you find Mom," Jason said softly.

"I'm sorry this is how it ended," Percy said. "You deserved so much better."

"I hope you're happy," Chris said simply.

They stood in silence. Suddenly, a voice sounded. Not out loud, but in each person's head. A very familiar voice.

Don't worry, guys. We've all got to play the cards we're dealt.

There was a moment of complete silence, then...

Chris is still a douche.

"HEY!"

I call it like I see it.

"So, you're OK, then?" Jason asked hopefully.

I'm dead, dude. But other than that, yeah.

They all laughed.

And sure, maybe I'm dead, but I'll never really be gone.

I promise.

THE END

AAAAHH I felt so bad writing this chapter.

I know, I killed her! I'm a terrible writer. But hey, I wrapped it up nicely.

AND SHE STILL EXISTS, PEOPLE. YES SHE'S DEAD, BUT SHE'S STILL AROUND.

Confusing, but whatever.